Sweden's World Cup hopes just got a major boost with the confirmation of their star-studded 26-man squad. Leading the charge are two of the Premier League's most feared forwards: Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool's Alexander Isak, both ready to don the yellow and blue for this summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
But it's not all good news for Swedish fans. Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski, a key creative force, has been ruled out after failing to recover from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined all season. Head coach Graham Potter admitted it was a heartbreaking call. "A very, very difficult decision," he said, noting the 26-year-old's rehab timeline left no room for risk with the opening game just weeks away.
Injury concerns also surround Isak, who has managed only eight league starts for Liverpool since his record-breaking £125m move from Newcastle last summer. Potter remains optimistic, however: "We hope he finishes the season strong with Liverpool. If we can get him to peak form, he's a world-class talent."
Sweden's journey to the finals has been anything but straightforward. After a dismal qualifying campaign where they finished bottom of their group with just two points, a stunning revival in the Nations League gave them a lifeline. Dramatic playoff wins over Ukraine and Poland punched their ticket to the big stage. "It's incredibly exciting—a huge honour," said Potter, who took over in October. "The fans' response has been fantastic, and we're ready to create more memories together."
The squad features 11 British-based players, including goalkeepers Viktor Johansson (Stoke) and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom (Derby), defenders Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds), and Victor Lindelof (Aston Villa). Midfield talents Yasin Ayari (Brighton) and Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham) add creativity, while Newcastle's Anthony Elanga and Celtic's Benjamin Nygren provide width and pace.
Sweden kicks off their Group F campaign against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, on 14 June (03:00 BST, 15 June), with two more group-stage matches to follow. With Gyokeres and Isak leading the line, the world will be watching.